[New video] This is what quality over quantity looks like
“Quality over quantity” has become a platitude in a world where everyone is familiar with the benefits of minimalism. We utter the term often, but in the same day we fall down walking the walk when faced with a killer sale at our favorite store, or a perceived need for five Old Navy shirts when one will do.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a fan of consignment for two reasons:
I can buy beautiful and beautifully made clothing for up to 90+% off.
It is the greener option, satisfying a need with one item instead of multiple “disposable” items. “Buy it for life” is simply good for the planet.
I have one pair of formal heels. They are $600 shoes that I paid $55 for (Marc Jacobs) and I don’t think twice to wear them for 6 hours because they are so darn well made.
My favorite summer dress was $45 barely used, but probably $450+ new (Mara Hoffman).
My latest wardrobe hole was filled with a pair of $795 sandals that I paid $54 for (Givenchy).
With a pair of practically stolen $800 sandals, there is no temptation to buy flat black sandals ever again.
For what I would pay at Kohl’s or Target, I have an exquisite pair that will last for life. Even a pair at Nordstrom that is 50% off of $300 doesn’t move me.
How do I know the prices? Because they were on the original boxes, or in some cases, still-attached tags. This is just a small sampling of my typical consignment finds (usually on therealreal.com). In most cases. these items are brand new. And no, wearing shoes that someone else clearly wore fewer than 5 times doesn’t gross me out AT ALL.
Recently, my husband caught on. He bought two pairs of gorgeous Italian-made pants and that same day, he eagerly let go of nine pairs of well-worn, lesser quality pants. Yes, that makes us part of the problem of overflowing thrift stores needing to send surplus clothing to West Africa where it deflates the local markets, but as we continue to buy less and buy better, we are in the process of removing ourselves from this easy-to-ignore destructive cycle.
This video uses his episode of two pants in, nine pants out to illustrate “quality over quantity” and is an outlet for my rant on buying consignment!
Buying consignment is my favorite sport. It takes time, but the thrill of the hunt is downright fun. It’s a good thing that it is a somewhat environmentally-friendly sport too. Sure, buying NOTHING would be the best way to heal our planet, but come on - I’m still an American.
The green benefits of buying consignment are something that we’re only going to hear more and more about. I hope and predict that it’s going to become as commonplace as going to the mall. I love that people are becoming at least aware that fast fashion (H&M, Zara, Forever 21, etc.) creates a staggering waste problem for the planet. One must-watch program that addresses this with great humor (really !) is Netflix's The Ugly Truth about Fast Fashion on Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj.
The whole thing is good. Watch from start to finish. You’re guaranteed to laugh, and walk away so eager to buy your first consignment piece for 90% off.
Minhaj aims a firehose of stats at viewers to make the point of how we MUST buy less, starting with clothing. Here are some of my takeaways:
In the 1980s the average American bought 12 items of clothing every year, compared with today’s 68 new pieces!
Viscose and rayon are the enemy. Their manufacturing process kills ancient forests. Long story...
The average American throws away 80lbs of clothing per year. Here’s how: Just one NYC Salvation Army creates 18 tons of unwanted clothes every 3 days!
Don’t fall for the greenwashing of brands like H&M and Zara. “Sustainable” on a label means absolutely nothing. The fact that H&M has textile recycling bins in stores is great, but don’t pat yourself on the back if in the same trip you buy a skirt made from petroleum that you’ll wear twice.
If you don’t have Netflix and can’t watch, this statistic from a KRON4 San Francisco news story is really all you need to know:
"If everyone bought one used item this year instead of new, it could save nearly 6 pounds of CO2 emissions. That’s equivalent to removing half a million cars off the road for a year.”
No, I do not get it right all the time, nor do you or I have to. I probably will buy another pair of black sandals one day. I will never have enough pairs of jeans (and I don’t buy those used). And my aforementioned summer dress has viscose in it. But less and less, filling bags for the thrift store makes me feel like I’m doing something right. The fact that I had so much to spare means the earth spared too much.
We can each do better, easily. Wear your clothes longer. Buy timeless things you love that will last. Buy one when you’re tempted to buy three. Please join me me buying better and buying less.
Are you already a consignment junkie? If not, are you a convert yet? Do you have a great personal example of “buy if for life?” Please share in the comments!
Hasan Minhaj’s episode was shared with me by fellow professional organizer in DC, Christina Bond. She’s a fabulous organizer certified in Marie Kondo’s KonMari method.
